Today's Opinions

In 1996, a Republican-led Congress and a Democratic president signed a welfare reform bill that required recipient’s work. It was a good bill that helped move millions off welfare and into productive jobs.

Operating a business is tough. Meeting payroll, hiring qualified workers, attracting buyers and complying with regulations are just a few of the challenges faced by business owners. Statistics show 44 percent of new businesses shut down within three years. Opening a business is no guarantee it will be a success.

At a June 16 Sunset Beach Town Council workshop, Councilman Lou De Vita questioned the effectiveness of the Sunset Beach Business and Merchants Association’s (SBBMA) campaign to attract tourists. He chose to cite the SBBMA’s posting of the programs at Ingram Planetarium on its website as an example of ineffective spending.

I leave it to the SBBMA to justify its overall program, but De Vita’s statements imply the programs offered at Ingram Planetarium have no effect on attracting visitors to Sunset Beach. I disagree.

Regarding Charlie Nern’s letter in last week’s edition, he is wrong in his information on the tree removal in the Sunset Beach Town Park. According to a town survey, the overwhelming majority of homeowners said their main wish for the new park should be to retain the trees. I requested all town records regarding the removal of the trees in the park. The records show this was not done.

Pastor Brad Ferguson and I journeyed to Columbia, S.C., July 10 to witness a historic event: the lowering and removal of the Confederate flag from the statehouse grounds. It should never have been allowed to fly one the statehouse dome or on the statehouse grounds.

I always enjoy this time of the year when Americans seem more excited to fly our American flag and display/decorate with American bunting.

As I wander through many of our communities, I notice many displaying the American bunting. Most Americans are fully aware of the American flag and its proper display etiquette and color arrangements. We would not display a flag that had the red and white striping in improper order/sequence.

On June 26, the Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, Obergefell vs. Hodges, held that the Constitution guarantees of due process and equal protection under the law mean states cannot ban same-sex marriages. With the landmark ruling, gay marriage becomes legal in all 50 states.